27 Mar 2022

The Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) community is reportedly still faced with dehumanising treatment, despite the decriminalisation of same sex relations last year.

For instance, transgenders are legally required to have a gender marker and such deprive them of dignity and respect.

 This came to light during a roundtable seminar on promoting inclusive justice hosted by the University of Botswana law department and the International Association of Women Judges on Thursday.

 “In every country in the world, even when LGBTI rights are not illegal, that segment of society struggles to access their rights,” the United States Ambassador to Botswana, Mr Craig Cloud said.

Ambassador Cloud cited challenges with access to healthcare services, among others.

Nonetheless, he said the decision by the country’s Court of Appeal to uphold the decriminalisation of same sex relationships was a huge milestone on human rights and equality.

He further described the decision as a landmark statement that has made Botswana a model in the whole world.

Mr Cloud said the victory was achieved through the LGBTI community’s perseverance, adding that societal discrimination could only be overcome through education.

“While Botswana has made a very huge stride last November, there is still a lot to be done,” he said.

 The US ambassador further said everyone needed to live without fear of who they are, stating that the USA was committed to helping Botswana to fight discrimination against LGBTI community, which is embedded in the social and cultural background.

Mr Cloud, however, said although conservative, the local community was generally loving and accommodative.

University of Botswana vice chancellor, Professor David Norris said the rights of sexual minorities were some of the most challenging issues facing the nation. 

“This question pits our customs and cultural beliefs against human rights standards and asks each one of us to evaluate our thinking,” Prof. Norris said.

 He conceded that members of the LGBTI community were prone to discrimination, which was a breeding ground for intolerance, violence and abuse.

 Hence, he said, the country must embrace the universality of human rights by engaging with complex and difficult issues and teach young people to do the same.

The representative of Botswana Chapter of International Association of Women Judges, Justice Annah Petje stressed the need to prepare young legal minds as the future judicial minds of the country.

 The forum also afforded UB law students an opportunity to share human rights experiences gained through their engagement at UB Legal Clinic and human rights seminars. ENDS